Locomotive tender watering device



April 11, 1950 J, O'BRIEN 2,503,631

LOCOMOTIVE TENDER WATERING DEVICE Filed Oct. 23, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet l 000 0 0O Qqooooo- \1 1 INVENTOR. JAMES E. O'BRI EN.

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April 1950 J. E. OBRIEN 2,503,631

LOCOMOTIVE TENDER WATERING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 23, 1944 INVENTOR. JAM ES E.

O'BRIEN.

April 11, 1950 J. E. O'BRIEN 2,503,631

LOCOMOTIVE TENDER WATERING DEVICE Filed oot. 23, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VENTOR. JAM 5 E. 0 BR! EN.

giwwwwa Patented Apr. 11,1950

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3' Claims.

This invention is directed to locomotive watering towers and th general object is to provide an engine tender watering apparatus which can be quickly manipulated and conditioned to discharge-water into the tender manhole by the fireman or other attendant. when the locomotive has been stopped at aspot position and regardless of the type and size of the locomotive tender.

As regards the matter of locomotive tenders, thos of present day railroad equipment present a wide range in length and height which has presented a serious problem in delivering liquid into the hatches of the tenders unless the hatch is spotted in an accurate position relative to the water delivery fixture to permit of entering the liquid delivery spout or nozzle into the hatch.

For example, water delivery fixtures, as hitherto provided, had neither suflicient range nor flexibility to permit of supplying water to the various classes of tenders without moving the locomotives from coaling position because the water delivery fixture would not be manipulated to permit of entering the delivery nozzle into the hatch.

Furthermore, all liquid delivery fixtures for railroad service as hitherto provided have been arranged to swivel horizontally in circles toward and from the center line of the track from a pivot located adjacent to the track. This confined the range of the spout nozzle over the hatch opening to close limits depending upon the radius of the horizontal swivel circle. Such an arrangement necessitated the manipulation of a long spout, hinged or otherwise connected from the pivoted pipe, with resulting unwieldiness due to insufiicient flexibility in manipulating the spout to enter the hatch unless the hatch is spotted accurately. These objectionable features have been particularly evident in the liquid delivery fixtures pivoted to overhead supply piping above shipping clearance between the tracks such as those usually provided above the main tracks at coaling plants to supply liquid and fuel to tenders at the same location.

All watering devices pivoted to overhead supply lines above tracks, as hitherto provided, have had long spouts hinged at high elevations above shipment clearances, These long, heavy spouts require heavy counterweights with ropes over pulleys which develop various angles of rope pull r flexibility, accuracy and ease of manipulation to assure delivery of water to tenders of vari us lengths and heights without moving th tender from coaling position and to provide a. fixture which will swing parallel tothe track and; remain the same distance from the center line of the track throughout the entire, swing range of the swivel pipe.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device which can be manipulated to place a short spout almost directly above the hatchof the tender so that the fireman or other employee, standing on the tender adjacent to the hatch, can reach the spout and enter it into the hatch easily and safely by means of handles attached to the spout.

Another object is to provide a spout counter-.- weight rope arrangement which remains always parallel with the swing pipe to maintain uniform alignment and stress of rope and uniform ease of handling the spout throughout the entire range of the device.

Another object is to provide a device arranged so that a swivel ball bearing housin can be in,- sulated and heated and thereby be maintained in operative condition regardless, of outside temperatures.

Another object is the provision of a locomotive watering apparatus or tower having such structural and operating characteristics that the locomotive can be water serviced quite rapidly while standing on the high speed or main line track of a railroad and, if desired, while the locomotive tender is being coaled.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a locomotive water tower structure which will remain serviceable in the discharge of a large volume of water in a short period of time under varying weather conditions.

A still further object of this invention i the provision of a plurality of articulated conduits of large volumetric capacity joined in such man ner that the discharging conduits can be swung downwardly from an overhead position to the water hole of the engine tender with a minimum of physical effort and remain thus Without being held by the fireman or attendant.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims; the annexed drawings and the following description setting forth in detail certain structure embodying the invention, such disclosed structure constituting, however, but one of various structural forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawings:

Fig. 1 is a track side elevational view of a water tower mechanism embodying the features of my invention;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the water servicing apparatus as viewed longitudinally of the tracks;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged View of a swingable down pipe comprising one of the essential elements of the mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4, Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a track side elevational view of a modified form of an adjustable mounting attached to the down pipe for the water spout or funnel;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail view of part of the down pipe suspension means for pivotally supporting the down pipe of the apparatus;

Fig. 7 is a detail view of a swivel hinge bolt with radial bolt roller and shaft comprising part of the spout mounting mechanism shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 8-8 of Fig. 2 through part of the swivel suspending means for the down pipe;

Fig. 9 is a view in section taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a view in elevation taken on line I 0l0 of Fig. 1, the view being on a larger scale;

Fig. 11 illustrates a modified water funnel or spout construction comprising two telescopic members; and

Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the spout construction shown in Fig. 11 and taken substantially along the line l2--l2 of Fig. 11.

It is contemplated that the present invention on an improved water servicing apparatus for locomotives can be used, if desired, with such a coaling station for the general arrangement of the cooperating elements is such that the watering of the engine tender can be effected without interfering with the coaling operations and without necessitating respotting of the locomotive. The tender may be coaled and watered simultaneously at one spot with these facilities.

In the present disclosure reference is made to a tower structure disposed above or overhanging the main track and it is to be understood that such superstructure as may comprise part of the present invention will be either part of the coaling tower structure or a separate overhead structure as desired.

Referring to Fig. l of the drawings, the superstructure or tower structure is merely represented here as an overhead platform, generally indicated by the reference character P, and the various means for suspending the swingable water pipe and spout or funnel are fixed to and partly supported by the platform structure.

Before further description of the details of construction and manipulation of the various means associated with the essential elements already referred to, it is desired to direct attention to the varying conditions of operation which must be met due to variations in the elevation and location of the watering holes of various types and designs of engine tenders present in the locomotive equipment of most railroads. In Fig. 1 five different engine tender water ports are diagrammatically indicated at positions A, B, C, D and E. By having the down pipe H and its offset discharge mounted to be swingable in a vertical plane extending substantially parallel to the railroad tracks and by having the funnel or spout l8 extend outwardly and downwardly from the offset end of the swingable down pipe, an approximate positioning of the down pipe and spout can be effected by the fireman or attendant while the spout is in an upwardly folded position on the down pipe. Such a pout position is shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 2. Counterweighting means to maintain the spout in such folded position at all times, except when a tender is being serviced, is provided and hereinafter will be described. Also the spout may be of a telescopic construction when the variations in water hole location are relatively great.

Referring to Fig. 2 it will be seen that the substantially horizontally disposed conduit 15 is attached by straps 22 to the under ide of the platform structure P. The elbow i6, comprising the conduit connection between the pipe i5 and down pipe H, has a swivel connection with the end of the pipe l5 and this swivel construction is shown in cross-section in Fig. 8. Also the elbow structure It has a front pivotal support comprising a stub shaft 35 (see Fig. 6) secured to the plate 36, the plate 36 being riveted to a front wall 31 of the elbow structure IS. The stub shaft 35 may be supported by a bearing box 38 attached to a bracket on the under side of the platform P and is of suflicient length to extend beyond bearing box 38 and to this extension thereof a counterbalancing lever M1 is keyed. The lever Mi carries adjustable counterweights 4| and 42 held in the desired counterbalancing position in any convenient manner, as for example by bolts as indicated in Fig. 2. To the hub of the counterweight lever 40 is attached a support 43 for a pair of small sheaves 44 shown on Fig. 1 which serve as a guide for a spout counterweight rope or cable, as will be described.

The swivel connection between the elbow I6 and horizontal pipe l5, as shown in cross-sectional detail in Fig. 8, comprises a housed lubricant and water-tight ball bearing swivel mounting for the elbow structure I6. Hence, attached to the flanged end I5a of the horizontal pipe I5 is a flanged bearing housing 46 with split housing cap 41 which support outer ball bearing race ring 48 which bears ball members 49. Split flanged cap s1 is secured to the flange of housing 46 by means of bolts through holes 41a and the halves of split cap 41 are secured together by bolts through holes 411). The bearing ring 48 is disposed within the flanged annular housing comprised of members 46 and 41. The housing closure 46 and clamping ring 41 hold the ring 48 in a properly fixed relation to the housing. The flanged bearing sleeve 50, which is disposed within the housing 46 and 41, comprises an extension of elbow structure l6 and revolves on ball members 49.

To prevent the flowing water from direct contact with the swivel structure, a stationary inner flanged on one end is prepare w t its ped watertight between the flanges 11 31 13 pib' l5 and bearing housing 46. nee-vea 1 internal diameter substant 11y iiual to th internal diameter of the water [5. sleeve 5| is arranged in abuttirig the flanged end ofthe pip l I5 and at H d in abutting relation to' the flanged ri of the 'el in structure [6. This s'tatioiiary sleeve mpuse's an extension of pipe conduit fate djiit the water into elbow tructure s. Non-freezing and water-resisting i great chargedinto the interior of housin'g146 through fitt'rigs in grease holes 46d and ife means of ets tr" et er grease appltiiiifi to lubfic'a the rotating members 49" and 50. 1

e is retained arid sealed in the ball ompartinent by means of annular'sp ing act ated seal 52 and annular felt seal 53. Spring actuated seal 52 is fitted into countrbor in the end of rotating sleeve 55) and around sleeve 5| in manner as to permit free rotation of sleeve 50 while preventing escape ofgrease from the ball bearing compartment and preventing entrance of water into thl ball bearing combartinent if through a he annular space between eeve 5Q and 5." F l s e 5 is i s 1m? .F QI P Qs in annular s'plit cap 41 in such manner as to permit free rotation of sleeve 50 while preventing escape I of grease from the ball bearing compartment through the annular space between sleeve 50 and cap 41. Radial slots S Ba are formed in the end of niembe1; sq d3a the housing 46 wall for admitting grease to the seal 52.

Asdescribed, the weight of the down pipe i! and the supporting spout is counterbalanced about the center line of the stub shaft and ball bearstruc ture described by the counterweights M, 42 whereby, due to the counterweight adjustment on lever AD the down pipe maybe swung and retained by the counterweights in a substantially horizontal track clearing position, as shown by the dotted lines in Eig. 1; in which the pipe is disposed immediately beneath the platform structure P. A stop 69a is provided for positioning the down pipe in the horizontal position and, preferably; the stop comprises a bracket secured to platform P; which bracket includes a horizontal spring supported member that is engaged by the counterweight lever when the drop pipe is raised to the horizontal position above shipment clearances, Also; I prefer to provide a locking device 6| that is attached to the under side of the platform structure by a bracket Bil; which deviee prevents the spout from inadvertently swinging outwardly from the down pipe and over the track when the down pipe is in the raised position;

To facilitatethe manipulation of the water spout or funnel I provide a holding means for maintaining the down pipe in any of it's swung or appr l mated positions whereby then roman will have both hands nae-e to manipulate the rrt. This holding means may comprise an arcuate member 10 supported by angle irons 1 l and 12, the latter bei gseeurea to the supeis'trueture P with the center of the arc of the member 10 corresponding substantially to the pivotal center of the lswing able down pipe. I provide a hand rope 16 by which the operator may swin'gthe down p p rs vertical. The rop'e 'l6 is reeve'd through puue I1 thatis secured to the housing strut inember by braclget 18 and attachedto the end of drop pipe A ,7 6f .g y bracket 8] is 'ure] v I nd of lever in, and the bracket includes a laterally examine portion that overhangs the member 10. A pinor fii-ufig'erf so is extendame through an opening tliftiul the lateraHY eXteiiding portiono'f bracket 8! and into any one a. mummy of closely spaced holes TQGL formed in the member 10. The pin is attached to bracket 8| by a chain, and it may be operated by an attendant on the platform or, if desired, the pin may be mechanically urged to a locking position with member 10 and retracted therefrom by operation of a hand lever and rope, as will be hereinafter described. A rope 82' is attached at one end to the downspout structure and the other end is attached to the water supplyvalve' mechanism in line I5 (not shown) so that the water supply may: be controlled from the tender or from the platform structure P. When the down pipe is being swung bythe operator pin 8B is out of contact with the member 10 and when it is desired to lock the pipe in any swung position the pin may be inserted in the nearest of the perforations 10a formed in the member 10. The centers of these perforations are indicated by the center lines in Fig. 1.

v The funnel or Water spout structure is of such shape as to be swung conveniently into connecting relation to the offset e'nd l'la of the down pipe and is of such shape that the hydraulic reactions ofthe watrbemg discharged thereinto from the down pipe will not cause up or back flow or creeping movement of the spout. I

In Figs. 1, 11 and 12 the spout structure shown as comprising two telescopically arranged inner and outer tubular members 82a and 33 respectively, which slide relatively upon rods 84 fixed to the inner member 82a. An arm structure 99, secured to the spout structure at the pivoted end therepf, i's formed by twospaced apart flat iron members 99a. and 991 One of the spacer bolts 39c carries a chain 99d; the free end of which is detach'ably connected to the outer telescopic member 83 at a handle formation I80. The fireextnd the overall length of the spout structur joy unlatching the chain and then relatching it, aswin be obvious.

It will be noted in Figs. 1, 2, 5 and 11 that the water spout is of a funnel shape with the upper end leg, thereof considerably larger than the offset lower end or portion I10, of the down pipe, and body of the funnel tapers to an elbow nozzle formation I 812. The general shape shown and described affords a structure which is not reacu 'veiyaeeetee by a larger volume of Water discharging thereth rough in a shortperiod of time, use t the broad bellied design of l8a [which holds snags quantity r the water being delivered, which ends to hold the spout down in the hatch.

"she funnel maybe pivotauy suspended on the 7 down pipe in various ways and in Figs. 5 and 7 this is done by a bracket structure 89 which supports bail or stirrup 9-3. Through the stirrup a sh'e'ave or roller carrying pivotal bolt 9| is supported by an attaching means comprising a nut '92 and bearing washer 93, see Figs. 5 and 7. he pivotal con 9! has the lower end thereof forked to receive a grooved roller iili to roll on Edit of pin 94a. Radial hinge bolt 95 attached to brackets 9t fixed to the funnel structure, slides on the grooved roller 94. A relative adjustment between the ofis'et end flu, of the down pipe I! and the 'fu'nhelin angular directions on either side of amedian plane passing through the pivotal axis of the dot/i1 pipe and the center of the down pipe job'taiiied as indicated by the dotted 1 lines in 5 S6 l'l' l'aliiblll atibfi 'Of the ful lill relative to the water hole of the tender is pos-- sible after the down pipe has been swung to its approximate down position and locked by pin 8th Also it will be noted that such a pivotal suspension of the down spout will permit the down spoutpension for the spout is merely a plain hinge cnstruction comprising a pivot pin 35 suitably supported by the bracket 89 on the down pipe. The bars forming the arm 99 in this instance may comprise part of the hinge connection, as shown. To further the ease of manipulation of the spout or funnel I provide a counterweight means tending to maintain the down spout in an upwardly swung or folded position relative to the down pipe. This may comprise the referred to fixed arm 99, a counterweight cable Hill extend-- ing over guiding sheaves Iiil, I02 carried by the downpipe and the hereinbefore referred to pair of sheaves 44. The cable Hill extends upwardly from sheaves M to and over a sheave I93 carried by block HM fixed to the tower structure P. Counterweights I85 serve to maintain the counterweight cable H19 in the desired taut condition and to hold the spout in upper dotted position in holding bracket 98.

sheave supporting brackets l3 and 63a, supporting sheaves N31, N32 and Ml for the spoutcounterweight rope are fixed to the down pipe assembly and arranged to maintain the spout counterweight rope in perfect parallel with the drop pipe and concentric with the down pipe pivot, regardless of the angle at which the drop pipe is set. The guide sheaves IM and H32 guide the rope between the pair of sheaves 44 so that the rope rests in the groove of either sheave M concentric with the axis of the drop pipe. This arrangement permits of counterbalancing the spout so that it will be held in upper position in the holding bracket 98 when empty but will remain in down position by the weight of the water when delivering water to the tender.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the pipe would have a slight drainage slope relative to the horizontal so that still water would not be present therein during cold weather, when supplied with the usual type water column with self-draining standpipe Valve in a pit below ground surface. Also, the character of the swivel connecting means between the elbow structure and the pipe I5 is such that the same may be heated during low temperature weather by electric heating elements arranged thereabout in a housed-in manner.

The entire apparatus may be manipulated by releasing the anchor pin and swinging the dropper with spout down to desired position relative to the tender hatch and re-anchoring. This is done by the fireman or coaling plant attendant from the operating platform. The spout is manipulated to and from the tender hatch from the top of the tender.

The quickest results are obtained at main line coaling stations where a train stops with locomotive tender in coaling position, and a coaling plant attendant swings the device to the fireman who puts the spout into the hatch, opens the valve and fills the tender with water while the coaling plant attendant is coaling the tender.

Those skilled in the art of railroad operation are aware of the fact that the fireman is required to coal and water the locomotive tender at many stations. With devices heretofore provided he must go from the cab of the engine to either the top of the coal pile in the tender or to an operating platform to coal the tender. Then, after the train has been moved and respotted at the water column, he must go from the cab to swing the water column to position relative to the water hatch of the tender and go to the top of the tender to manipulate the spout and water valve.

It will be understood to those skilled in railroad operation that my invention eliminates respotting of the train or locomotive because water and coal may be delivered to the tender at one spotting, regardless of variable lengths and heights of locomotive tenders, considerable time is saved and respotting of equipment is eliminated.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the structure herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. In a watering plant for locomotive tenders, an elongated conduit for feeding water to a tender; means for pivotally suspending said conduit above a railroad track whereby said conduit is swingable about one end through an arc located in a vertical plane extending parallel with said track; means connected to said one end of the conduit for supplying water to the conduit; and an extendable spout at the opposite outer end of said conduit for directing water from said conduit into the hatch of a tender, said spout comprising two tubular members telescoped one inside the other, and hinging means for pivotally mounting said spout adjacent the outer end of said conduit whereby said spout may be swung to a position parallel and adjacent to said elongated conduit and to a position in which the spout extends laterally to said conduit, one end of said spout being brought into registry with the outlet of the conduit when in the last mentioned position.

2. In a watering plant for locomotive tenders, an elongated conduit for feeding water to a tender; means for pivotally suspending said conduit above a railroad track whereby said conduit is swingable about one end through an are located in a vertical plane extending parallel with said track; means connected to said one end of the conduit for supplying water to the conduit; and an extendable spout at the opposite outer end of said conduit for directing water from said conduit into the hatch of a tender, said spout comprising two tubular members telescoped one inside the other, hinging means for pivotally mounting said spout adjacent the outer end of said conduit whereby said spout may be swung to a position parallel and adjacent to said elongated conduit and to a position in which the spout extends laterally to said conduit, one end of said spout being brought into registry with the outlet of the conduit when in the last mentioned position, and a counterweight means for said spout comprising a rope suspended by a pulley and having a weight at one end, a sheave structure mounted adjacent to the pivoted end of said conduit, the opposite end of said rope extending downwardly through said sheave structure and being connected with the spout to tend to rotate the spout about its pivot toward the conduit.

3. In a locomotive watering plant, a water supply pipe extending horizontally, a support structure extending parallel with the pipe and supporting the latter, a down pipe pivotally connected to one end of said pipe by an elbow member, said member being supported on the pipe by an anti-friction bearing, a stub shaft projecting from the outer wall of said elbow member and coaxial with said bearing, a journal carried by said support structure and pivotally supporting said stub shaft, a telescoping spout structure at the outer swinging end of said down pipe and comprising a tubular member telescoped within a second tubular member, said spout structure being pivoted adjacent one end to the down pipe 10 for swinging movement from a position adjacent and parallel with the down pipe to a position extending laterally from the down pipe and in registration with the outlet of the down pipe.

JAMES E. OBRIEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record. in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 239,973 Morris Apr. 12, 1881 479,105 Franklin July 19, 1892 1,180,543 Rose Apr. 25, 1916 1,338,846 Thompson May 4, 1920 1,718,245 McGarry June 25, 1929 2,198,418 Snow Apr. 23, 1940 2,260,151 Miller Oct. 21, 1941 

